Rank / Candidate

1 – Matt Kemp CF

Sometimes when observing a player or having a set of expectations fans and pundits alike can get ahead of themselves and judge too quickly which I think a lot of people, myself included, did concerning Kemp a few seasons ago. Whether he is playing with new motivation and a chip on his shoulder or he simply came into his own does not matter as he is proving that there is not much of anything he cannot do in this game. Last season was a remarkable one for Kemp and he looks to top it as he is potentially a NL Triple Crown threat. Kemp leads the NL in R, HR, AVG, SLG, and OPS and ranks 2nd in RBI and 3rd in OBP while playing a Gold Glove type CF.

2 – David Wright 3B

When you see Wright fighting off the inside fastball and hitting a soft liner for a hit, laying off the off-the-plate slider away, and showing the willingness to go oppo then you know his great approach to an AB has returned from his glory days of 2005-2008. His career best BB/SO ratio so far in 2012 is yet another indication. The Mets could not be more pleased with the performance from Wright as he has been a big reason for their early season success without much in the way of protection in the lineup. Wright has looked about as steady/comfortable and solid defensively as he ever has in his career and offensively ranks 2nd in OBP and 4th in BB, AVG, and OPS in the NL overall.

3 – Carlos Beltran RF

Beltran has come a long ways since the beginning of the 2011 season when the New York media made it seem as if he could barely walk much less continue his playing career as he had a solid campaign last season and is off to a tremendous start for his new club, the Redbirds, in 2012. After losing a franchise player and searching for ways to replace the offensive production the Cards got lucky with baseball’s biggest bargain to date in 2012 as Beltran has been more than they could have wished for. Beltran ranks 2nd in HR and RBI, 3rd in R, 8th in SLG, 9th in OPS, and 10th in OBP in the NL while still providing solid defense in RF.

4 – Adam LaRoche 1B

LaRoche is returning from a season cut very short by injury and he has been of major importance to a team rich in pitching but struggling offensively due mostly to injuries. LaRoche has been in the middle of seemingly every offensive output for the Nats and provided them with a middle-of-the-order bat they were desperately in need of considering the early season misfortunes. He has generally been a player you can count on for 25 HR and 90 RBI give or take but he may have a career year given his quick start. While being an underrated defensive player LaRoche ranks 5th in OPS, 6th in SLG, 8th in OBP, 9th in AVG, and 10th in BB and RBI in the NL.

5 – Jay Bruce RF

Bruce has been a big contributor to the Redlegs getting off to a decent start after an overall disappointing 2011 Reds team. Hitting in the fifth hole predominantly so far in 2012 Bruce has looked like a classic run producer with lots of power, some whiffs, and no intentions of walking but rather swinging the bat. Most of his contributions come from his XBH and slugging ability which he is tied for 1st and ranked 4th respectively while ranking 2nd in HR, 6th in OPS, and 7th in RBI in the NL. Bruce has 40 HR potential and here in his 5th season in the big leagues we may see it and the Reds may need it for a postseason birth.

Rank / Candidate

1 – Josh Hamilton OF

Hamilton, or “The Natural,” is off to a start that every big leaguer or kid for that matter dreams about as he not only leads the AL in the Triple Crown categories but the entirety of MLB. He leads both leagues with 15 HR and recently had an historical night slugging 4 HR in one game. Hamilton is in elite company in that he is one of just a handful, if that, of players who could realistically win a Triple Crown as he has all the tools to do so with the only detriment being the ability to stay on the field. The former MVP looks to have a monstrous walk-season leading into what will be an interesting and difficult free-agent negotiation when taking his talent level and off-the-field issues head on.

2 – Derek Jeter SS

Jeter has seemingly turned back the clo…, wait a minute, the guy has one off-year in 2010 which some players wish they had and all of a sudden he is finished? Wrong, Jeter remains an offensive force, as sound fundamentally as any SS in the game defensively, and one of the true leaders thus making him essentially a year in-and-year out candidate for the Most Valuable Player Award. El Capitan leads the AL in H, ranks 2nd in AVG, and is top 5 in R, OBP, and OPS in leading-off for the Bronx Bombers and picking up the slack for other aging vets.

3 – Curtis Granderson CF

Granderson has elevated his game to near elite status from his performance a season ago and through the first part of the 2012 campaign. His defensive ability is a bit unheralded but he is an asset in covering a vast left-center field at Yankee Stadium. His power numbers spiked last year and he currently is ranked 2nd in HR in the AL with 11. Granderson also ranks in the top 10 in R, BB, SLG, and OPS and given the stadium he calls home has a friendly right field configuration for left-handed hitters he looks to continue to pace himself from a power standpoint which will keep him in the discussion especially considering the position he plays.

4 – Matt Wieters C

In what is probably baseball’s biggest surprise in the early goings in the success of the Birds, Wieters has played a big role in said success. While he has not advanced as fast as some fans might have liked or thought he would he is quietly becoming one of the best defensive catchers and handlers of a pitching staff there is in the game today. That is not to say he is a slouch at the plate as he is showing big power and run production potential from a position that rarely sees it. Offensively, Wieters leads all qualifying AL catchers in R, H, HR, AVG, SLG, and OPS.

5 - Asdrubel Cabrera SS

Cabrera is in the running as an early candidate for the Most Valuable Player Award due to a multitude of contributions he provides the Tribe. Cabrera is one of the most sure handed defensive players in the game with the ability to make the flashy play as well. Combine that with being one of the most potent offensive players at the SS position and a general savviness for the game and it equates to a leader of sorts for the Indians. Cabrera leads the qualifying AL SS in 2B and OBP and ranks 2nd in AVG, SLG, and OPS. Should Cleveland reach the postseason Cabrera will play a big part in getting them there.

Rank / Candidate

1 – Lance Lynn RHP

Lynn is easily the biggest surprise pertaining to player performance and impact, at least for me, in baseball this season. Whether you are looking at W, ERA, H/9, BAA, WHIP, etc he has simply been the entire package. He has allowed 1 ER or less in 5 of 6 GS and only 2 ER in the other one while never giving up more than 6 H in any GS this season. There was some up-and-down nature of his performance in the minors which might make you pause a bit when considering whether or not this early season success is a bit fluky but if you dig a little deeper you will find some indications that a breakout year was possible if he was given the opportunity to start full-time.

2 – Johnny Cueto RHP

Cueto is more like “1A” rather than #2 on the list as he has been “en fuego” early on sporting a 1.12 ERA through 7 GS and nearly 50 IP. He has allowed 1 ER or less in 6 of 7 GS and put up 6 QS to begin the season. Cueto is coming off a shortened 2011 campaign of which peformance wise has rolled right into 2012. The ERA will obviously rise and he pitches to a bit more contact than the usual Cy Young Award candidates but going by his last 30 career GS or so he looks ready to possibly take that next step in his career for the should be contending Redlegs.

3 – Kyle Lohse RHP

I am not sure what is in the water in St. Louis but I need whatever it is. While showing flashes in the past Lohse has been mostly considered a mid-to-backend type of starter when building a rotation. In 2012 he is off to a tremendous start compiling 5 W in his first 7 GS mostly due to a sparkling 1.02 WHIP. Lohse has allowed 1 ER or less and pitched to a QS in 5 of 7 GS. Moving forward I do not expect Lohse to be in the running for the CY Young Award but given his spectacular start I do expect at least an all-star appearance and a quality mid-rotation pitcher having a possible career year.

4 – Stephen Strasburg RHP

Strasburg is a special generational type of pitcher that is only being held back from somewhat recent arm surgery and as selfish as it sounds I cannot wait for him to be released from pitch and innings counts to see what he is truly capable of. The ball comes out of his hand like no one else’s in the game today with an electricity when he takes the mound that few have provided in the past. He has given up more than 2 ER just one time in what has been 6 QS in 6 GS. The question remains will the ERA, H/9, SO/9, BAA, and WHIP be of such dominance that his IP limit of supposedly 160ish will not deter the baseball writers and such.

5 – Gio Gonzalez LHP

The starting pitching has taken Washington by storm and Gonzalez is a big part of that. Acquired in trade in the offseason he has been one of the more underrated pitchers over the last couple seasons. Pitching to a cool tune of a 1.72 ERA and .156 BAA though 6 GS has him in the early discussion for the NL Cy Young Award. The southpaw is averaging more than a SO/IP and just over 3 BB/9 with a very strong H/9 ratio. All told he has only allowed 3 ER total since his only hiccup in his first start of the year in helping the Nats form what has been the best rotation in baseball in 2012 so far.

Rank / Candidate

1 – Jered Weaver RHP

This should not come as any sort of surprise in Weaver being ahead of the pack as he has been simply masterful in already throwing 2 CG, a SHO, and tossing a no-hitter in his first 7 GS. He has held his opponents to a paltry .174 BAA while nearly averaging a SO/IP and has not allowed a run in over half of his GS started this season. His H/9 and BB/9 are off the charts to a degree that it makes you wonder how he makes it look so easy. This all coming off an excellent season a year ago helping establish him as one of the true aces and elite starting pitchers in the game.

2 – Jake Peavy RHP

In what is one of the less talked about but has to be one of the better stories in baseball so far in 2012 is the return from injury after injury-to-dominance by Peavy. He has proved durable thus far and even has tossed 2 CG with one being a SHO. Peavy has allowed 1 ER or less in 4 of 7 GS on the year. He has been about as stingy as it gets as far as hitters earning their way on by the way of a H or BB with a minuscule 0.80 WHIP. If this continues he will either be an anchor for the Pale Hose rotation or a great trade chip come July.

3 – Felix Hernandez RHP

Year in-and-year out King Felix is seemingly a victim of poor run support and the start of 2012 is no different as he has given up 1 ER or less in 5 of 7 GS and 2 ER in one other yet he only has 3 W to show for it. Hernandez is also a horse as he has completed 7 IP or more in 6 of 7 GS and most of the time has completed 8 IP in his outings. With nearly a SO/IP and a strong .189 BAA against Hernandez is just as dominant as ever. He is one of a handful of pitchers who could easily win 20 games a year with a little more run support.

4 – Brandon Morrow RHP

Next in line is one of the better surprises of the early campaign in Morrow considering his past performance. While the stuff and repertoire has always been there Morrow struggled to put it all together but here early on in 2012 he looks like a breakout candidate after allowing only 1 ER or less in 5 of 7 GS and already having tossed a CG SHO. His numbers are solid all throughout including H/9 but he has really ramped up his SO/9 over his last 3 GS suggesting he may be improving more so as the season moves forward.

5 – Justin Verlander RHP

Last year’s AL Triple Crown Winner for pitching is only the league’s fifth best pitch this season, you say? No, he still remains as one of the handful of true elite starters in either league but he has shown to be human early on which many of us thought he may not be. Verlander has gone 8 IP or better and allowed 2 ER or less in 4 of his 7 GS while tossing 6 QS overall. At the end of the day you should expect him to be in the running for a second consecutive CY Young Award all season long for a Tigers team looking to do big things.

Rank / Candidate

1 – Lance Lynn RHP

Lynn has to be considered not only the leading candidate for NL Rookie of the Year but also for the NL Cy Young Award here in the early goings. He is also the hands down top surprise performer in the NL. Lynn has posted ridiculous numbers as far as ERA and WHIP goes and an impressive BB/SO rate while averaging 6+ IP/GS. This is just what the doctor ordered for the defending champion Redbirds as many thought they were a bit short in the rotation due to both injury and recovery.

2 – Wade Miley LHP

Miley started the season in the bullpen with the Snakes but has made the jump to the rotation and has been impressive in his first 3 GS in 2012. He has only allowed 10 H in 18.1 IP as a starter in picking up 2 of his 3 wins on the year without a loss. Miley was largely up-and-down performance wise in the minors so it will be interesting to see how long his current success will last and if the southpaw truly has figured it out and found a bit of positive consistency.

3 – Kirk Nieuwenhuis OF

The Mets hope they have found a mainstay in the oft-injured Nieuwenhuis who has looked like a true two-way player through the first month+ of the season. With an AVG above .300 and and OBP approaching .400 one would never guess that he would have 33 SO in just 100 AB. With those kind of SO numbers it makes it hard to project that his success will continue at the rate it has so those factors in his game are worth watching closely over the next month.

4 – Zack Cozart SS

Cozart is seemingly trying to close a revolving door for the Redlegs at the SS position and so far he has not disappointed. He has put up strong XBH numbers and looks like a player who could potentially hit 15-20 HR a season as he gains experience and matures as a player. The AVG/OBP he has produced so far are right in line with the numbers he put up in the minors. His time is now as he is a bit old at 26 to be still considered an up-and-coming prospect so it is imperative to have a quality rookie season in trying to make a name for himself.

5 – Bryce Harper OF

Harper is ranked low here on our initial list only because of a lack of games played at the big league level. In our Individual Awards predictions for the 2012 season we picked him to win the NL Rookie of the Year and still feel he will do so especially with his earlier than expected arrival. More impressive than his approach at the plate and willingness to go the other way has been his outfield play and the showing off of his throwing arm as well as his overall instincts for the game. There has been a lot of talk about “old school” and the like, what I see is a player playing the game the way it should be played by every big leaguer which in turn has given the game a bit of needed flair and excitement.

Rank / Candidate

1 – Yu Darvish RHP

Many may not even consider Darvish a rookie considering the amount of success and innings he had in Japan but MLB qualifies him as such. The right-handed import has impressed thus far and is an early season favorite for the award. His numbers look good outside of the WHIP category which is inflated due to a high BB/9 rate which he will need to lower in order to stay in games longer and prove he can handle the rigors of a full MLB season with a 5-day pitching regimen compared to the 6-day plan he was more familiar with.

2 – Drew Smyly LHP

In just his second pro season Smyly has arrived at the big league level and given the Tigers a much needed arm in their rotation. While the personal win has largely eluded him the Tigers as a team have won four of his five starts as he has yet to allow more than 2 ER in any start this season. The southpaw has a good BB/SO rate and a decent WHIP which projects to long-term success. The ERA will rise but Smyly looks like a pitcher who has a chance to be a candidate for AL Rookie of the Year all season.

3 – Wei-Yin Chen LHP

Chen is also a veteran of sorts of the Nippon Professional Baseball League as the Birds imported him from Japan this past offseason. He has so far provided the Orioles with a quality left-handed arm who has allowed more than 2 ER just once in his first 5 GS. Over the course of the season he will need to lower his BB/9 if he wants to sustain his current success or improve upon it. Pitching in the vaunted AL East could be problematic once teams in the division see him for a second time and so on.

4 – Yoenis Cespedes CF

Another foreign import which seems to be becoming a theme, Cespedes is a much ballyhooed outfielder from Cuba whom the Atheltics won the sweepstakes of. Cespedes has already hit some mammoth shots showing off his majestic power potential. As of today it is hard to judge where his AVG/OBP will go but he could have a rough go of it here in his initial season but in any case he should hit around 30 HR and approach 100 RBI. The BB/SO rate needs to see improvement and should with gained experience.

5 –  Jesus Montero DH/C

Montero is a promising looking hitting prospect who looks like a win for the Mariners in their offseason trade with the Bronx Bombers. While he projects to be a potential .300 AVG, 30 HR, 100 RBI type of player much of that will depend on whether he can improve on an alarmingly low BB rate given that he has only walked 3 times in 114 PA thus far this season. Montero seems to lack the skills to be a plus defender behind the plate and combined with his supposed offensive ability the DH role suits him better long-term.

Starting Rotation

Bullpen

Lineup

Bench